Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Why should I workout?

July 15, 2020 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

I often ask myself what the hell I’m working out for. Why does anyone? It seems absurd. My Grandfather worked his arse off for General Motors for 50 years. And at the end of his day, all he wanted to do was come home and sit in his chair. He was exhausted. Now? His grandson, whose job usually involves sitting in a chair looking at a screen all day, purposefully lifts up and puts down artificial weight, made somewhere overseas and shipped across the world, for the express purpose of purposeless effort. Yep, that’s what his grandson does in his free time. For leisure. Y’know, when he’s not riding his silly exercise bike that (purposefully) goes nowhere.

The chair has become the work, and is no longer the respite. The respite is now the exhaustion.

What Grandpa must think, somewhere in the great beyond.

But then there’s the next generation. Grandpa wouldn’t workout and neither is much of Generation Z. There’s a reason why E-Sports are growing in popularity, as opposed to “traditional” on the field stuff. The upcoming generation values being good at manipulating computers. Not blocking and tackling. Which makes total sense. Because the old values of brute strength and speed don’t matter much anymore when we’re no longer hooking plows up to oxen. Or, keeping the line at GM going 24/7.

“What are you doing?”
“Picking up artificial weight which has been created for the sole purpose of doing so.”
“Ah. Makes total sense.”

So again… what’s the point of working out? Is it pure aesthetics? Aesthetics as a way to transmit power/health/safety? But that goes back to being an outdated value once again. Muscles don’t = protection anymore. They haven’t for a while.

Pain. I think the point, is pain.

There’s some research indicating that barring major traumas which short circuit the human brain (Iceberg Slim covers this), most humans have a limited capacity for discomfort. You have a discomfort bucket. Once it’s filled? Sure, other stuff is still uncomfortable, but your bucket is more or less full for the day. You’ve used up those chemicals. And therefore, all the rest of the junk just doesn’t seem as bad. So if you can learn to like controlled discomfort like exercise (because you initiate it and it results in some positive outcomes like better health, good brain chemicals, and improved aesthetics even if that is an outdated value), then all the other crap that gets thrown your way? Not as bad! And if all the other crap isn’t as bad? Then you can do more! Both in and outside of your workouts. Especially outside. Because pursuing your own personal fitness improvement (run your own race, comparison is the thief of joy) is like dressing better. It’s just a tool. Use it to do something better.

Editor’s Note: This post originally ran as a too-long start to an Under Armour sale post. But, some had suggested it should be its own stand-alone post, and thus easier to dig up for those days when you (and I… especially I) don’t feel like doing those pullups. Or planks. Or burpees.

Filed Under: Clothing, Etc. Tagged With: exercise motivation, I don't want to workout, shouting into the void, why exercise, why should I exercise, why should I workout, why workout, workout motivation

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees

J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees

NOT final sale on that swim trunks and slub cotton tees deal.

$20 off Nike Killshots for summer, TheTieBar Sweater Polo Restock, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

$20 off Nike Killshots for summer, TheTieBar Sweater Polo Restock, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

And spring starts to turn towards summer.

How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer

How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer

Sweat less while dressed to impress.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – The $49 Garment Duffle, $15 off $100 at Madewell, & More
  • $20 off Nike Killshots for summer, TheTieBar Sweater Polo Restock, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer
  • In Review: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneakers
  • Steal Alert: Old Navy $16.99 Tech Shorts, $9.99 Tech Polos one-day-sale
  • The Dappered Space: One Room, One Store – Target

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2022 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.